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5 BSHN (UT) 32/2022
BUTTERFLIES OF ALBANIA NEW DATA AND
GOING ONLINE FLUTURAT E SHQIPËRISË TË
DHËNA TË REJA DHE FAQJA ONLINE
(LEPIDOPTERA: PAPILIONOIDEA)
SYLVAIN CUVELIER1*, LAURIAN PARMENTIER2,3
XHULIANA QIRINXHI4, ANILA PAPARISTO5
1Diamantstraat 4, B-8900 Ieper, Belgium Flemish Entomological Society (VVE WG
DV)
2Faculty Bioscience Engineering, lab Agrozoölogy, University Ghent, Coupure
Links 653, B-09000 Gent, Belgium
3Moerbeekstraat 29, B-9870 Zulte, Belgium Flemish Entomological Society (VVE
WG DV)
4 Faculty of Natural and Human Sciences, Biology-Chemistry Deparment, University
Fan. S. Noli, Korçë, Albania
5Faculty of Natural Sciences, Department of Biology, Bulevardi Zogu i Pare,
0Tirana University, Al-1001 Tiranë, Albania
Correspondence to: sylvain.cuvelier@telenet.be
Abstract
In 2005, Misja [28] published the first distribution maps for the Albanian butterfly
fauna. In June 2018 a review article [7] with new distribution maps [8] was published
and recorded three new butterfly species for Albania, confirmed two data deficient
species from a previous checklist [44] and adapted the status of six species for which
recent evidence was lacking. This update resulted in 196 species with confirmed
occurrence, 4 data deficient species and 9 species with potential to be discovered.
Since 2018, new field research and data from external sources resulted in a 76,d3 %
increase of observations. 7 new species were observed and 2 data deficient species
have been confirmed. Thus, 205 species are now confirmed from Albania and it is
likely that more species will be found. Included in this paper are suggestions for
further research on potential and data-deficient taxa. The known data on the
distribution of food-plants for these species have also been taken into account. A
website (https://biodiversity.unitir.edu.al/index.html) dedicated to the butterflies of
Albania is launched. To increase the accuracy of the distribution maps, the Atlas [8]
is moved to the new website. Finally, we make a call to share all Albanian butterfly
observations to increase the knowledge of the rich Albanian fauna.
We dedicate this publication to the late Prof. Kastriot Misja who died from Covid on
25.ii.2022
Key words: Papilionoidea – butterflies – Polyommmatus lurae – Polyommatus
orphicus – Satyrium pruni – Araschnia levana – Danaus chrysippus – Euphydryas
maturna – Limenitis camilla – Erebia albergana – Pseudochazara tisiphone –
Proterebia phega – Albania – faunistics.
6 BSHN (UT) 32/2022
Përmbledhje
Në vitin 2005, Misja [28] publikoi hartat e para të shpërndarjes për faunën e fluturave
shqiptare. Në qershor të vitit 2018 u publikua një artikull rishikues [7] me hartat e reja
të shpërndarjes [8], i cili regjistroi tre lloje të reja fluturash për Shqipërinë, dhe
konfirmoi dy lloje, për të cilat kishte mangësi të të dhënave krahasuar me listën e
mëparshme të kontrollit [44] dhe përshtati, bazuar në prova të reja, statusin e gjashtë
llojeve të klasifikuara më parë me mungesë të dhënash. Bazuar në prova të reja ky
përditësim rezultoi në një listë prej 196 lloje fluturash, prej të cilave 4 lloje me të
dhëna të mangëta dhe 9 lloje me potencial për t'u zbuluar. Që nga ky publikim,
kërkime të reja në terren dhe të dhëna nga burime të jashtme, rezultuan në një rritje
prej 76,3 % të numrit të observimeve. Tashmë janë vëzhguar 7 lloje të reja dhe janë
konfirmuar 2 lloje me të dhëna të mangëta. Kështu, nga Shqipëria tashmë janë
konfirmuar 205 lloje fluturash dhe me shumë ngjasa ka vend edhe për lloje të tjera
potenciale për t’u zbuluar. Të përfshira në këtë punim janë sugjerimet për kërkime të
mëtejshme mbi taksat potenciale dhe me mangësi të të dhënave. Po ashtu në këtë
botim janë marrë parasysh edhe të dhënat e njohura për shpërndarjen e bimëve që
shërbejnë si burim ushqimor për këto lloje. Për të shpejtuar përditësimin e hartave të
shpërndarjes [8], Atlasi i fluturave të Shqipërisë zhvendoset në faqen e re, të internetit:
(https://biodiversity.unitir.edu.al/index.html), të hapur rishtasi përkushtuar fluturave
të Shqipërisë. Së fundi bëjmë një thirrje për të gjithë sudiuesit për të ndarë të gjitha
vëzhgimet e tyre të fluturave shqiptare me qëllim përditësimin në kohë të njohurive
për faunën e pasur të fluturave të Shqipërisë.
Fjalë kyçe: Papilionoidea – fluturat – Polyommmatus lurae – Polyommatus orphicus
– Satyrium pruni – Araschnia levana – Danaus chrysippus – Euphydryas maturna –
Limenitis camilla – Erebia albergana – Pseudochazara tisiphone – Proterebia phega
– Shqipëria – fauna.
Introduction
The 2018 review and checklist [7] for the Albanian butterfly fauna was based
on 8.564 observations. This clearly indicates the low intensity of butterfly
investigations for such a diverse country. The data originated from all
available historical publications and field trips. The obvious conclusion of the
review [7] was that the knowledge of the Albanian butterfly fauna was
insufficient and focus was given to do more research by updating the checklist,
listing potential species to look for in Albania and/or to be confirmed because
of their data deficient status. The review [7] intended to stimulate
entomologists to perform new surveys during different months and in all areas
of the country. Providing maps [8], clearly showed the limited knowledge
about the distribution of various species and stimulated researchers to improve
it. Recently, the potential of the Albanian butterfly diversity has attracted the
attention of researchers. Dincă et al. [10] included specimens from Albania in
the European barcode library, Dapporto et al. [9] also included data from
Albania in the Atlas of mitochondrial diversity of Western Palearctic
butterflies and Parmentier et al. [34] described a new endemic species from
Albania.
7 BSHN (UT) 32/2022
Material and methods
New field research by the authors, observations provided by different
entomologists and the consultation of open source portals that were critically
screened, resulted in interesting new data. All the available literature known
to the authors has been taken into account for this update. The nomenclature
follows Wiemers et al. [47] and the recent adaptations from Dapporto et al.
[9].
Abbreviations used: a.s.l.: above sea level, DD: data deficient, GR: Greece,
MAC: Republic of North Macedonia, MNE: Republic of Montenegro, RKS:
Republic of Kosovo.
Map symbols: Historical data. Additional data from the 2018 update
[7-8]. New observation since the 2018 update [7-8].
Notes
Satyrium pruni (Linnaeus, 1758) (Plate 1)
In 2018, the last checklist [7] for the butterflies of Albania reviewed the
available literature for S. pruni. Due to the absence of clear evidence this
species was considered as a potential species to be discovered in Albania. On
24.vii.2018, Laurian Parmentier [33] sampled a worn female in the Dibër
district, central eastern Albania, about 60 km from the nearest know locality
in MAC. It is expected that more localities, from N. Albania to the centre of
the Elbasan country, will be found especially when searching in June.
Polyommatus lurae Parmentier, Vila & Lukhtanov 2022 (Fig. 1a-b; plate 1)
The recent discovery of a new taxon, based on mitochondrial barcoding (COI
sequences), a nuclear marker (ITS2), karyotyping and colour morphometrics,
in the Polyommatus (Agrodiaetus) group from Lurë (Dibër) was described as
P. lurae [34]. It is linked to biotopes with ophiolitic substrates, typically found
in Albanian biotopes. It is the first Albanian endemic butterfly species.
However, the distribution of the different brown Agrodiaetus taxa in the
Balkan is insufficiently substantiated. While fresh males of P. lurae might be
discriminated visually based on its very dark habitus [34], other external
characters between the different, cryptic taxa are overlapping and cause
confusion, e.g. the presence or the degree of reduction of the white streak on
the underside hindwing. Strong differences in male genitalia are also lacking
in the Polyommatus (Agrodiaetus) complex.
This implies that the published distribution maps in this group need further
study. As discussed [34], P. lurae might in the future well be documented from
a broader Albanian range and even from the neighboring countries. Based on
COI barcoding only (no karyotyping) one Polyommatus (Agrodiaetus)
specimen, sampled by Sylvain Cuvelier and Morten Mølgaard on 17.vii.2013
near Voskopojë (Korçë county) on a paler brown ophiolite substrate already
brings an important extension to the Albanian distribution range of P. lurae.
The status of P. lurae and other taxa of the brown Polyommatus (Agrodiaetus)
8 BSHN (UT) 32/2022
group is under further investigation and both more data concerning biological
properties and deeper genomic studies are expected in the future.
Fig. 1a. Copula of Polyommatus lurae, Lurë region, 24.vii.2022 Fig. 1b. Habitat of
Polyommatus lurae, Lurë region. (photographer: Laurian Parmentier)
Polyommatus orphicus Kolev, 2005 (Fig. 2a-b; Plate 1)
Together with the discovery of P. lurae, far from the known Greek and
Bulgarian populations, P. orphicus was also documented [34] from eastern to
central Albania, near the biotopes of P. lurae and with a larger distribution
range, discovered in July 2017 by Laurian Parmentier and who confirmed a
good population in 2018 at Valikardhë. The species is more linked to karst
biotopes [34]. Putative hybridizations between P. lurae and P. orphicus were
described [34] in the contact zone and at intermediate habitats, illustrating
again how complex the situation in the Polyommatus (Agrodiaetus) group is.
Fig. 2a. Habitat of Polyommatus orphicus, Valikardhë region. Fig. 2b. Nectaring
Polyommatus orphicus in situ, Valikardhë region, 19.vii.2018 (Photographer:
Laurian Parmentier)
1a
1b
2a
2b
9 BSHN (UT) 32/2022
Proterebia phegea (Borkhausen, 1788) (Plate 1)
There are no historical observations of P. phegea from Albania but the country
is located in between three disjunct areas from where the species has been well
documented. In the Balkan, the species was first mentioned from Dalmatia
being present in Croatia and with a marginal extension in Bosnia and
Herzegovina. In Greece, the species was documented first from western
Macedonia and later from the Rhodope Mountains. On 27.iv.2022 Verovnik
R. & Verovnik J. [45], discovered a population on south-facing slopes near
Bulqizë (Dibër). This is the second locality in the Balkan where P. phegea
occurs on ophiolite substrate. The species is also present on the south-western
slopes of Oros Vourinos (GR) in ophiolite zones (personal observation of the
first author). More early spring surveys might increase the range of P. phegea
in the vast ophiolitic zone in eastern Albania. Areas with karstic limestone
substrate in western and eastern Albania should also be investigated as from
mid-March and could further expand the Albanian distribution range of this
species.
Erebia albergana (Prunner, 1798) (Plate 1)
This species is widely distributed over the Alps but local in the Italian
Apennines and the Balkan peninsula [22] where the species is known from the
western and central Stara Planina in Bulgaria [1], from SE Serbia [15, 35] on
the Stara Planina and from SW Serbia on Mokra Gora [27] near the border
with MNE and RKS. The species is documented from MAC on the Šar Planina
- Korab mountain [18, 20, 38], from MNE on the Čakor pass [12] and
Bjelasica Mt. [16] and from RKS [48], south of Dragaš. One worn male of E.
albergana has recently been found [49] near Valbonë (personal
communication M. Bjerg, August 2019) in the North Albanian Alps. This is a
further extension for this species in the Balkan Peninsula. Other localities will
probably be discovered in the North Albanian Alps as more suitable habitats
are present.
Kirinia climene (Esper, 1783) (Fig. 3-4; Plate 1)
A single worn female was collected a long time ago near Krumë in NE Albania
[36]. During 2013, Melovski researched the Albanian side of the Prespa
National Park. K. climene is not mentioned in the list of recorded species [5,
24]. Cuvelier and Dincă found a few tattered K. climene on 13.vii.2022 west
of Liqeni i Prespës within the Prespa National Park. The species is also known
from MAC [18-19] and from NW GR [28-29]. Potential habitats are open
forests, clearings and pastures with rather broadleaved grasses at the base of
tree trunks. The butterflies fly from June to August with a peak in the second
half of June and the first half of July. During the hottest hours of the day, the
butterflies often rest on tree trunks and can easily be confused with Maniola
jurtina (Linnaeus, 1758) a common species in such biotopes. The hills north
of Krumë look suitable and a confirmation of its presence there is needed.
10 BSHN (UT) 32/2022
Fig. 3. Kirinia climene male (left) and female (right), Mali i Thatë,
1250-1500 m a.s.l., 13.vii.2022 (photographer: Sylvain Cuvelier)
Fig. 4. Habitat of Kirinia climene, Mali i Thatë, 1400 m a.s.l.,
13.vii.2022 (photographer: Sylvain Cuvelier)
Pseudochazara tisiphone, Brown, [1981] (Plate 1)
On 23-24.vii.2022, Xhuliana Qirinxhi accompanied by Rigela Fero and
Laurian Parmentier found two worn males and two relatively fresh females of
P. tisiphone on ophiolite substrate, in the Lurë-Dejë National Park. This is a
northwards extension of more than 30 km from the nearest localities (Bulqizë
and Krastë). There is a good chance that there are even more unknown
populations of P. tisiphone in other ophiolite massifs.
4
2
3
11 BSHN (UT) 32/2022
Araschnia levana (Linnaeus, 1758) (Plate 1)
This species is slowly expanding its range in the Balkan Peninsula and as
suggested in the review [7], A. levana has indeed been found in NE Albania
near Valbonë and Shumat (personal communication M. Bjerg, August 2019).
The species will likely expand further in the northern half of the country and
even the Korçë area might be reached as A. levana has also been confirmed
from NW Greece near the Prespa Lake [32].
Limenitis camilla (Linnaeus, 1764) (Fig. 5; Plate 1)
This species was wrongly included for Albania by Murraj [29] as the figure in
that publication clearly showed L. reducta. But L. camilla remained a potential
species as it was cited from localities in MAC [2, 18] and from the northern
part of MNE [42]. On 23.vi.2017, L. camilla was photographed south of
Gusinje in southern MNE [50] at a few kilometers from the Albanian border.
The first proof that L. camilla is present in Albania came from an Israelian
expedition. On 03.vii.2016 in the Valbonë valley, near Rragam at 1.160 m
altitude, a male specimen was collected by Ofir Tomer (Fig. 3). Independent
observations [49, 51] from Çerem (personal communication M. Bjerg, August
2019) and the Valbonë valley confirm the presence of L. camilla in Albania.
The species might be more widespread as more suitable habitats are present
in the north-eastern part of Albania. Another observation [52] on 25.vi. 2017,
south of Korçë and east of Dardhë, without photograph is doubtful. In the well-
researched nearby Greek area, L. camilla has never been observed [31-32].
We do not retain this observation as it looks a potential mix-up with L. reducta
Fig. 5. Limenitis camilla ♂ (upper- & underside), Rragam, 1160 m a.s.l., 3.vii.2016
(collector and photographer: Ofir Tomer)
Euphydryas maturna (Linnaeus, 1758) (Plate 1)
The species had been cited [29] from Albania but the only record was based
on a specimen without a label or locality from the collection of the Museum
of Natural History in Tiranë. Based on lacking evidence [37], E. maturna was
given a DD status. The species was found in northern MNE [42] and cited [41]
from two sites of the Zeta-Skadar Plain in MNE, near NW Albania. Different
5
12 BSHN (UT) 32/2022
observations of E. maturna are known from MAC, in the adjacent National
Park of Mavrovo [20] and in the red list [18] of the country E. maturna is
mentioned as vulnerable. E. maturna was confirmed [49] from Çerem
(personal communication M. Bjerg, August 2019) in the Valbonë valley and
it can be expected that the species is more widespread in the North Albanian
Alps.
Danaus chrysippus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Fig. 6a-b; Plate 1)
On 6.xi.2018, the fourth author found numerous, fresh specimens flying in a
fairly open forest area near the Karavasta Lagoon (Fier County).
Fig. 6a. Habitat of Danaus chrysippus, near the Karavasta Lagoon, 7 m a.s.l.,
6.xi.2016. Fig. 6b. Nectaring D. chrysippus, near the Karavasta Lagoon, 7 m a.s.l.,
6.xi.2016. (Photographer: Josif Paparisto)
D. chrysippus is a strong migrator sometimes reaching Albania where
irregular coastal observations have been documented. In the Balkan Peninsula,
temporary populations, especially later in the season, have been mentioned.
Overwintering, as far as we know of, has not yet been proven. It is not clear if
populations are able to survive longer term in this part of the Balkan Peninsula.
Different Apocynaceae species are cited [6] as hostplant in the checklist of
European butterfly larval foodplants: Apteranthes burchardii, Araujia
sericifera, Asclepias curassavica, Cynanchum acutum, Gomphocarpus
fruticosus and Gomphocarpus physocarpus. As well C. acutum as G.
fruticosus were mentioned [13] as hostplant of D. chrysippus in Greece. G.
fruticosa has often been cited and is confirmed by the first author from Perdika
(Epirus, Greece), at only 35 km south of Albania. G. fruticosus is know from
Borsh (Vlorë County, southern Albania) but not from the area around the
Karavasta Lagoon where Periploca graeca is the only Apocynaceae known
(personal communication Lulëzim Shuka, November 2022). P. graeca is
listed [14] as one of the hostplants in Anatolia (Turkey). The fourth author did
not observe caterpillars or pupae as the butterflies were in full emergence but
this observation could represent a new hostplant for D. chrysippus in Europe.
To be confirmed.
6a
6b
13 BSHN (UT) 32/2022
This update and atlas are made up from three parts: the historical data that
were compiled for the 2018 review [7], the data in the 2018 update from
surveys prior to the publication of the review and the atlas [7-8] and the new
observations since the 2018 update [7-8].
In the 2018 review and atlas [7-8] 8.564 observations were included. Nahirnić
(personal communication) provided information about one missing
observation of Charaxes jasius (Linnaeus, 1767) in the 2018 maps [8] and of
two observations, cited in Rebel & Zerny [36] for Pyrgus serratulae (Rambur,
1839) and Lasiommata petropolitana (Fabricius, 1787), that were not assigned
correctly in the maps to Mt. Galičica (MAC) but were placed a few kilometers
south of the exact locality in MAC. It was verified and adapted in the new
atlas.
New personal research of the authors, data kindly provided by other
researchers and collected from recent publications are the basis for the current
update. In total, 6.533 new observations (+76.3%) have been added to the
existing database. Map 12 (Plate 1) shows the coverage at country level of the
new dataset.
There are vast areas that remain unexplored and have potential to discover
new species for the country and/or to confirm some data deficient taxa.
The map does not show the intensity of research in the different areas of
Albania. In many areas, the data are from a single survey at a specific day,
often in summer. It is clear that many areas deserve more intensive research
and also during different seasons. The temporal coverage of the actual dataset
is low and this has an impact that cannot be estimated on the knowledge of the
single-brooded spring species. Many Albanian mountain areas are difficult to
access, especially on the higher parts above the tree line. This presumably has
a major influence on the actual knowledge of species that are typical of
subalpine and alpine habitats.
Our objective is also to provide a complete bibliography about the butterflies
of Albania. Since the review [7], recent research concerning Melanargia
galathea (Linnaeus, 1758) was published in 2018 by Vrenozi et al. [46].
Nahirnić & Beshkov (2022) published a list of rare butterflies, observed in
Albania 2016-2019 and in 2022. We are aware of few other publications with
some citations of butterfly observations in Albania. They are given in the
references [3-5 and 24].
The checklist (Table 1) is adapted. We removed all the species with
unexpected status and adapted the taxonomy to the actual standards [9, 47].
14 BSHN (UT) 32/2022
Plate 1. Distribution maps of the new and confirmed species for Albania.
1. Satyrium pruni; 2. Polyommatus lurae; 3. Polyommatus orphicus; 4. Proterebia
phegea; 5. Erebia albergana; 6. Kirinia climene; 7. Pseudochazara tisiphone;
8. Araschnia levana; 9. Limenitis camilla; 10. Euphydryas maturna; 11. Danaus
chrysippus; 12. Coverage at country level of the new dataset.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
15 BSHN (UT) 32/2022
Suggestions for research on potential and data deficient taxa
Muschampia tessellum (Hübner, 1803)
Only Murraj [29] listed and figured a specimen of this big and relatively easy
to observe Skipper without mentioning any detail on locality and date. It is
considered DD in the last checklist [7]. Near Albania the species is known
from Western Macedonia (GR) [31-32] and Galičica Mt. (MAC) [19]. The
only foodplants that have been confirmed in Europe are Phlomis samia and
Phlomis tuberosa. So far, P. samia has not been documented from Albania. P.
tuberosa is present near Cerjë, Phlomis fruticosa (Fig. 7a) is widespread and
Phlomis herba-venti (Fig. 7b-c) is known from Mali i Thatë.
This xero-thermophilic species can be found from May till late July. It can be
searched on moderately dry to mesophilic, extensively grazed, pastures with
some trees and shrubs from lowland to 1900 m a.s.l.
Fig. 7a. Phlomis fruticosa, Llogora Pass. Fig. 7b-c. Phlomis herba-venti, Mali i
Thatë (photographer: Lulëzim Shuka)
Heteropterus morpheus (Pallas, 1771)
Due to the lack of clear evidence, H. morpheus was given the status
unexpected in the last checklist [7] but in the checklist of the butterflies of
MNE, Franeta [12] mentions personal observations of H. morpheus from the
Lovćen National Park and in the Đalovića gorge during the first half of June.
More recently, H. morpheus was also recorded for the first time from RKS
[17] in the Bjeshket e Nemuna National Park, less than 20 km northeast of
Albania. These 4 specimens were found in the second half of June at an
altitude of 1310 m a.s.l. We change the status of H. morpheus from unexpected
to potential and suggest to search during the month of June, in the valleys of
NE Albania in moist biotopes with tall grasses, mainly Calamagrostis
canescens and Molinia caerulea (Fig. 8).
7a
5c
7b
7c
16 BSHN (UT) 32/2022
Fig. 8. Semi-wet and wet meadows with Calamagrostis canescens, Molinia
caerulea, Carex spp., Eriophorum angustifolium and Dactylorhiza sp., Uji i Ftohtë,
Guri i Topit (Pogradec district), 1550 m a.s.l., (photographer: Lulëzim Shuka)
Pontia chloridice (Hübner, 1813).
This species was mentioned only once from Albania by Rebel & Zerny [36]
from Orosh and is considered DD. The nearest areas with recent observations,
are the Vardar Valley in southeastern MAC [11] and the Greek administrative
region of Central Macedonia [31-32]. The species has two to three generations
per year. In Albania, the foodplant, Cleome ornithopodioides, has been
reported from the village Haimel (Shkodër) at 10-50 m altitude and is probably
also present in the valley of the Mat River. C. ornithopodioides is a very
inconspicuous plant and thinking of stony river beds, it might be present in
other places in Albania. The species can be searched from early April till early
autumn in lowland, stony river valleys with wide alluviums.
Agriades dardanus (Freyer, 1843)
It is a species that has never been mentioned from Albania and is extremely
local in the Balkan Peninsula, known from a limited number of mountains in
Bosnia and Herzegovina, MAC [18], Bulgaria [1] and GR [31-32]. The
species flies in one generation in June and July between 1250 to 2200 m a.s.l.
It is a small, inconspicuous butterfly that flies low over the ground, frequently
stopping for nectaring or sitting on stones.
8
17 BSHN (UT) 32/2022
Androsace villosa (Fig. 9) is present in Albania near Vermosh, on Maja e
Gjallicës, Mali i Munellës, Mali i Korabit and Mali i Thatë and some localities
show resemblance to the known biotopes of A. dardanus. Therefore, we add
A. dardanus as a potential species. Research for A. dardanus should be
focused, from mid-June to mid-July, on small rocky ridges with A. villosa.
Fig. 9. Androsace villosa, Kërçi i Djegun, North Albanian Alps. Fig. 10. Lathyrus
niger, Prespa NP, South Albania. (Photographer: Lulëzim Shuka)
Neptis sappho (Pallas, 1771)
As far as known to us, there exists no historical observation of this species in
Albania and it was not mentioned [7] as a potential species for Albania. In the
open source website Observado (consulted on 18.ii.2022) one observation
[53] was given from the North Albanian Alps, between Dragobi and Valbonë
on 18.viii.2018. Unfortunately there was no photograph or comment available.
This observation was changed to uncertain after Observado requested more
information. N. sappho is known from MAC [2, 18] and there are recent
observations [54-55], close to the Albanian border. The species has been found
in the north of MNE [56-58] and in southern RKS [21]. In this area, N. sappho
is at its southern distribution limit and seems local and uncommon.
The mentioned Albanian locality looks suitable and the observation date
indicates a second generation butterfly. This date serves as an argument to
exclude a potential N. rivularis, also a DD taxon for Albania. We regard the
species as potentially occurring in Albania. It is included and a map is added
in the Atlas, for the moment with a small dot (to be confirmed) to give focus
to research of this species. N. sappho produces at least two annual broods and
can be found from early May to September in hot, damp woodland, rich in
Lathyrus (Fig. 10) and in areas that are overgrown by invasive Robinia. Best
chances to find it, are during the morning and late afternoon. At midday, they
are usually found at higher levels up to the crowns of the trees and on hot days
their activity is strongly reduced.
Neptis rivularis (Scopoli, 1763)
N. rivularis has been documented from Mt. Galičica [19] and it is also
included in a conference paper for the nearby National Park of Mavrovo [20]
in MAC. The species has been mentioned from Albania but in every reference
it seems to be a confusion with Limenitis reducta Staudinger, 1901. The
9
10
18 BSHN (UT) 32/2022
specimens labeled as N. rivularis in the collection of the Natural Sciences
Museum of Albania in Tiranë were all L. reducta and Prof. K. Misja confirmed
that he had never observed the species. It is a single brooded species and flies
in between the generations of N. sappho with a peak at the end of June and
early July. N. rivularis is to be searched for in warm, damp open deciduous
woodland with Aruncus (Fig. 11) and Filipendula (Fig. 12a-b) in eastern
Albania. Another host plant, Spiraea, does not occur in the wild in Albania.
N. rivularis is often found in river valleys and ravines on damp ground or
perching for long periods on the foliage of trees and bushes.
Fig. 11. Aruncus dioicus, Krej Lurë-Fushë Lurë. Fig. 12a-b. Filipendula vulgaris,
Gjergjevicë (photographer: Lulëzim Shuka)
Nymphalis vaualbum ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775).
Having no direct evidence for N. vaualbum from Albania but a few
observations from the adjacent areas, it remains a potential target for research,
especially in northeastern Albania. Two observations are known from
northern MNE [12], in 1973 and 2000, in the same locality on Mt. Durmitor.
In 2009 N. vaualbum was recorded for the first time from Mt. Shar Planina in
MAC [23]. Follow up research in 2009 and 2010 revealed no further evidence
of its presence. As this is a strong migrator it is unclear what the meaning of
this single observation is. In springtime, overwintering specimens can be seen
but the second half of June is probably the best moment to look for it in NE
Albania focusing on hot, humid tracks in dense deciduous forests with nearby
running water.
Melitaea arduinna (Esper, 1783).
The species has never been mentioned from Albania but is known from nearby
on Galičica Mt [19] in MAC and from Greek localities above Lake Prespa
[31-32]. The species is single brooded and on the wing from end May to early
July. In the southernmost European biotopes M. arduinna inhabits dry,
extensively used pastures with different Centaurea species (Fig. 13a-b; 14),
often C. graeca, and in northern Balkan it also flies in mesophilous meadows
(Fig. 18), sheltered woodland clearings, gorges and gullies. Biotopes west of
Lake Prespa and Lake Ohrid, nearby known localities in GR and MAC, are to
12a
12b
11
19 BSHN (UT) 32/2022
be explored during the flight period of M. arduinna but not only as different
Centaurea species are described from northern Albania [39-40].
Fig. 13a-b. Centaurea graeca, Prespa NP. Fig. 14. Centaurea rupestris subsp.
kozanii, Cerjë, Prespa NP (photographer: Lulëzim Shuka)
Melitaea aurelia Nickerl, 1850
The species has been found in MNE [42], MAC [26] and GR [43] and potential
biotopes are present in many Albanian mountain areas. This species can easily
be confused with the common Melitaea athalia (Rottemburg, 1775). M.
aurelia is single brooded and on the wing from June to mid-July. The biotopes
are nutrient poor grasslands with abundant Plantago lanceolata (Fig. 15-17)
and sometimes Veronica. M. aurelia does not support too intensive grazing.
Small Melitaea males need to be sampled for dissection for a conclusive
identification.
Searches can be focused on a wide area from the North Albanian Alps to the
hills near Lake Prespa.
Fig. 15. Biotope with Plantago lanceolata, Mali i Oplasit (Hasi district)
(photographer: Donald Shuka)
Fig. 16. Plantago lanceolata, Tiranë (photographer: Lulëzim Shuka)
Fig. 17. Plantago lanceolata, Kolsh (Kukësi district) (photographer: Lulëzim
Shuka)
13a
13b
14
15
16
17
20 BSHN (UT) 32/2022
Coenonympha glycerion (Borkhausen, 1788).
Evidence for C. glycerion in Albania is clearly lacking but the species was
given a potential status in the last checklist [7] because the species is
documented from northern MNE [42] and nearby MAC [18, 20, and 25]. It is
a single brooded species flying from June to August in flowery, grassy places
with scrubs. Biotopes ranging from hot dry to damp localities with Bromus
and Poa species (Fig. 19) are suitable. Research should focus on suitable
habitats from NE Albania to Mali i Korabit during the months of June to July.
Fig. 18. Mesophilous meadows, Mali me Gropa (photographer: Lulëzim Shuka)
Fig 19. Habitats with Bromus, Festuca and Poa, Mali i Korabit (Korabi Mt)
(photographer: Lulëzim Shuka)
18
19
21 BSHN (UT) 32/2022
Checklist
Butterflies
Status
Fluturat
Papilionidae
Fluturat tabake
Iphiclides podalirius
1
Flatrabishtori podalir
Papilio alexanor
1
Flatrabishtori aleksanor
Papilio machaon
1
Flatrabishtori makaon
Parnassius apollo
1
Apollonja/flokëbora e Apollos
Parnassius mnemosyne
1
Mnemosinja
Zerynthia cerisy
1
Cerisja
Zerynthia polyxena
1
Poliksenia
Hesperiidae
Fluturat kapiten
Gegenes nostrodamus
1
Mesdhetarja njollabardhë
Gegenes pumilio
1
Pumilia
Hesperia comma
1
Komma
Ochlodes sylvanus
1
Kuqaloshja njollakatrore
Thymelicus acteon
1
Antenëgrepja acteon
Thymelicus lineola
1
Okërverdha shiritshkurtër
Thymelicus sylvestris
1
Okërverdha shiritzi
Carterocephalus palaemon
1
Antenëgrepja katrore
Heteropterus morpheus
P
E kafejta e madhe me kuadrate
Carcharodus alceae
1
Mëllagangrënësja
Carcharodus floccifera
1
Flociferja
Carcharodus lavatherae
1
Flatramermerta
Carcharodus orientalis
1
Aziatikja
Erynnis marloyi
1
E kafejta e bojatisur
Erynnis tages
1
E kafejta e zymtë
Muschampia alta
1
Antenëgrepja e urtë
Muschampia tessellum
DD
E kafejta mozaik
Pyrgus alveus
1
Thinjoshja
Pyrgus andromedae
1
Thinjoshja alpine
Pyrgus armoricanus
1
Pirgusi i Oberturit
Pyrgus carthami
1
Kafezijoshja
Pyrgus cinarae
1
Thinjoshja e rërët
Pyrgus malvae
1
Mëllagëngrënësja njollashumtë
Pyrgus serratulae
1
Ngjyrëullijta
Pyrgus sidae
1
Kafeportokalleja
Spialia orbifer
1
Antenëgrepja hungareze
Spialia phlomidis
1
Flomidja
Pieridae
Fluturat bardhoshe
Colias alfacariensis
1
Verdhoshja e turbullt e Bergerit
Colias aurorina
1
Grekja me krah me re
Colias caucasica
1
Verdhoshja e turbullt e Ballkanit
Colias crocea
1
Verdhoshja krocea
Gonepteryx cleopatra
1
Kleopatra
Gonepteryx farinosa
1
Limonja e arrçit
Gonepteryx rhamni
1
Limonja e barbletës
Leptidea duponcheli
1
Flutura e Duponkelit
Leptidea juvernica
1
Bardhoshja kriptike e drurit
22 BSHN (UT) 32/2022
Butterflies
Status
Fluturat
Leptidea sinapis
1
Flutura e mustardës
Anthocharis cardamines
1
Flutura aurorë
Anthocharis damone
1
Lindorja majëshenjuar portokalli
Anthocharis gruneri
1
Aurora e Grunerit
Aporia crataegi
1
Bardhoshja e murizës
Euchloe ausonia
1
Ausonja
Euchloe penia
1
Verdhoshja e vogël
Pieris balcana
1
Bardhoshja e Ballkanit
Pieris brassicae
1
Flutura e lakrës
Pieris ergane
1
Bardhoshja e vogël e lartësive
Pieris krueperi
1
Bardhoshja e Kruperit
Pieris mannii
1
Bardhoshja e vogël e jugut
Pieris napi
1
Flutura e repës
Pieris rapae
1
Flutura e vogël e lakrës
Pontia chloridice
DD
Bardhoshja kloridikë
Pontia edusa
1
Bardhoshja lindore
Lycaenidae
Fluturat e vogla
Lycaena alciphron
1
Flakëroshja verdhoshe
Lycaena candens
1
Flakëroshja e Ballkanit
Lycaena dispar
1
Flakëroshja e artë e madhe
Lycaena ottomana
1
Flakëroshja e jugut
Lycaena phlaeas
1
Flakëroshja e artë
Lycaena thersamon
1
Tersamonia
Lycaena tityrus
1
Flakëroshja e errët
Lycaena virgaureae
1
Flakëroshja e rrallë
Agriades dardanus
P
Dardania
Aricia agestis
1
Flatrakafejta bordurëkuqe
Aricia anteros
1
Ballkanja anteros
Aricia artaxerxes
1
Flatrakafejta verlore
Cacyreus marshalli
1
E bronzta e geraniumeve
Celastrina argiolus
1
Flatrabluja e manaferës
Cupido alcetas
1
E blujta Provençale me bishta të shkurtër
Cupido argiades
1
Trupshkurtra blu-vjollcë
Cupido decoloratus
1
Ezbardhëllemja
Cupido minimus
1
Vogëlushja blu
Cupido osiris
1
E blujta e Osirit
Cyaniris semiargus
1
Kaltëroshja vjollcë e pyllit
Eumedonia eumedon
1
Flatrakafenjta e kamaroshës
Glaucopsyche alexis
1
Aleksja
Iolana iolas
1
Kaltëroshja e madhe
Kretania sephirus
1
Zefiri blu
Lampides boeticus
1
Trupgjata vjollcë-blu
Leptotes pirithous
1
Trupshkurtra vjollcë-blu
Lysandra bellargus
1
Flatrablujta bukuroshe
Lysandra coridon
1
Kaltëroshja e argjendë
Phengaris alcon
1
Kaltëroshja e vogël e kënetës
Phengaris arion
1
Kaltëroshja njollazezë
23 BSHN (UT) 32/2022
Butterflies
Status
Fluturat
Plebejus argus
1
Kaltëroshja argus
Plebejus argyrognomon
1
Argirognomonia
Plebejus idas
1
Idas blu
Polyommatus admetus
1
Anomalja e madhe
Polyommatus amandus
1
Kaltëroshja e hijshme
Polyommatus damon
1
Kaltëroshja e gjelbërt
Polyommatus daphnis
1
Flatradhëmbaçja blu
Polyommatus dorylas
1
Kaltëroshja e jonxhës
Polyommatus eros
1
Flatrakaltra e zakonshme e livadheve
Polyommatus escheri
1
Esheria
Polyommatus icarus
1
Flatrablujta e zakonshme
Polyommatus lurae
1
Luranja
Polyommatus orphicus
1
Orifucsi i kafejtë
Polyommatus ripartii
1
Anomalja e vogël
Polyommatus thersites
1
Flatrablujta e shkathët
Pseudophilotes bavius
P
Baviusja blu
Pseudophilotes vicrama
1
Flatrabluja njollëzezë
Scolitantides orion
1
Flatrakafeblujta
Tarucus balkanicus
1
Ballkanja
Callophrys rubi
1
Ferrakja
Favonius quercus
1
Bishtakja vjollcë e dushkut
Satyrium acaciae
1
Bishtakja e akacies
Satyrium ilicis
1
Bishtakja e dushkut
Satyrium pruni
1
Kordelja e zezë
Satyrium spini
1
Bishtakja e kulumbrisë
Satyrium w-album
1
Bishtakja e vidhit
Thecla betulae
1
Bishtakja e mështeknës
Riodinidae
Fluturat me njolla metalike
Hamearis lucina
1
Luçina
Nymphalidae
Fluturat me këmbë furça
Apatura ilia
1
Apartura
Apatura iris
1
Perandori i purpurt
Apatura metis
1
Perandori i purpurt i Freyerit
Charaxes jasius
1
Dybishtakja jasius
Danaus chrysippus
1
Shtegëtarja krisipus
Argynnis pandora
1
Pandora
Argynnis paphia
1
Pafia
Boloria dia
1
Flatravjollca e vogël
Boloria euphrosyne
1
Flutura bordurargjendë
Boloria graeca
1
Fritilari ballkanik
Boloria pales
1
Flutura e bariut
Boloria titania
1
Titania
Brenthis daphne
1
Dafnja
Brenthis hecate
1
Hekatja
Brenthis ino
1
Flatramermerta e vogël
Fabriciana adippe
1
Adipja
Fabriciana niobe
1
Niobja
24 BSHN (UT) 32/2022
Butterflies
Status
Fluturat
Issoria lathonia
1
Flatrargjenda e vogël
Speyeria aglaja
1
Njollaperla
Libythea celtis
1
Caracja
Limenitis camilla
1
Admirali i bardhë
Limenitis reducta
1
Admiralja e bardhë e jugut
Neptis rivularis
DD
Avioni hungarez
Neptis sappho
P
Avioni i zakonshëm
Aglais io
1
Flutura sypallua e ditës
Aglais urticae
1
Flutura e hithrave
Araschnia levana
1
Portokallia e ndezur me njolla të zeza
Euphydryas aurinia
1
E hershmja
Euphydryas maturna
1
Maturna
Melitaea arduinna
P
Freyerina
Melitaea athalia
1
Athalia
Melitaea aurelia
P
Aureliana
Melitaea cinxia
1
Cinksia
Melitaea diamina
1
Krahportokallikafta me kuti të zeza
Melitaea didyma
1
Kuqaloshja
Melitaea ornata
1
Lindorja
Melitaea phoebe
1
Flutura e livadheve
Melitaea trivia
1
Trivia
Nymphalis antiopa
1
Zimbajtësja
Nymphalis polychloros
1
Shumëngjyrëshja
Nymphalis vaualbum
P
Presje e rreme
Nymphalis xanthomelas
1
Këmbëverdha
Polygonia c-album
1
C-bardha
Polygonia egea
1
Egea
Vanessa atalanta
1
Admiralja
Vanessa cardui
1
Shtegëtarja
Aphantopus hyperantus
1
Hiperantia
Arethusana arethusa
1
Aretusa
Brintesia circe
1
Brintesia
Chazara briseis
1
Briseida
Coenonympha arcania
1
Arkania
Coenonympha glycerion
P
Gliceroni
Coenonympha leander
1
Leandra
Coenonympha orientalis
1
Orjentalja
Coenonympha pamphilus
1
Pamfilia
Coenonympha rhodopensis
1
Rodopensis
Erebia aethiops
1
Zijoshja aethiops
Erebia albergana
1
Unazka e bajames
Erebia cassioides
1
Zioshja kasiodes
Erebia epiphron
1
Zijoshja epifron
Erebia euryale
1
Zijoshja eurialë
Erebia gorge
1
Zijoshja gorge
Erebia ligea
1
Zijoshja kafe
Erebia medusa
1
Zijoshja e pyllit
25 BSHN (UT) 32/2022
Butterflies
Status
Fluturat
Erebia melas
1
Zijoshja melas
Erebia oeme
1
Zijoshja njollaçift
Erebia ottomana
1
Otomanja
Erebia pandrose
1
Zijoshja pandrosë
Erebia pronoe
1
Zijoshja pronoje
Erebia rhodopensis
1
Zijoshja rodopensis
Erebia triarius
1
Zijoshja triare
Hipparchia fagi
1
Pylltarja
Hipparchia fatua
1
Fatua
Hipparchia semele
1
Semelja
Hipparchia senthes
1
Senthesi
Hipparchia statilinus
1
Statilinja
Hipparchia syriaca
1
E mermerta siriane
Hipparchia volgensis
1
Volgensis
Hyponephele lupina
1
Ulpina
Hyponephele lycaon
1
Likaonja
Kirinia climene
1
Klimenja
Kirinia roxelana
1
Rokselanja
Lasiommata maera
1
Njollasykafejta
Lasiommata megera
1
Megera
Lasiommata petropolitana
1
Petropolitanja
Maniola jurtina
1
Jurtina
Melanargia galathea
1
Galatea
Melanargia larissa
1
Laramanja Larisë
Melanargia russiae
1
Laramanja e lartësive
Minois dryas
1
Driada
Pararge aegeria
1
Egeriaµ
Proterebia phegea
1
Unazka dalmatiane
Pseudochazara amalthea
1
Antela
Pseudochazara amymone
1
Aminonia
Pseudochazara geyeri
1
Flutura e Geyerit
Pseudochazara tisiphone
1
Tisifonia
Pyronia cecilia
1
Çeçilja
Pyronia tithonus
1
Titonja
Satyrus ferula
1
Ferulja
Table 1. Checklist. Indicated in blue are recently documented species and added
potential species. Indicated in orange are data deficient species. The status of all
species has been updated versus the previous checklist [7]
26 BSHN (UT) 32/2022
Butterflies of Albania - Fluturat e Shqipërisë goes online:
https://biodiversity.unitir.edu.al/index.html
To increase awareness about the rich Albanian butterfly fauna and to stimulate
research, we launch a website (Fig. 20) dedicated to the Albanian butterflies.
As part of this website, the updated checklist is now also available online and
will be adapted when new evidence comes available to us on:
https://biodiversity.unitir.edu.al/Albania_Checklist.htm.
To allow entomologists to do more targeted research we also
incorporate the distribution maps in the new website:
https://biodiversity.unitir.edu.al/ATLAS.html
The maps can now be adapted shortly after new data becomes available.
Together with the launch of the website we make a call to report all your
observations to the first author.
Fig. 20. Homepage of the website Butterflies of Albania – Fluturat e Shqipërisë
27 BSHN (UT) 32/2022
Conclusion
The discovery of 7 new species and the confirmation of 2 DD species brings
the total number of Albanian butterfly species to 205. Table 2 gives a summary
of the changes in status and focuses as well on the data deficient and potential
species for Albania. This publication increases the available observations by
76.3 %. This better coverage results in an increased knowledge of the
distribution of all species. The 2018 checklist [7] and distribution maps are
updated. In the future, new data from field research will surely add more
species to the Albanian butterfly fauna and improve our knowledge regarding
their distribution in the country. The availability of a website dedicated to the
butterflies of Albania, providing updated distribution maps, will hopefully
speed up the knowledge of the Albanian butterflies.
Species
Status
2018
New
status
Reason
Heteropterus morpheus
0
P
Occurring in neighbouring country
Muschampia tessellum
P
DD
Foodplant not known from Albania
Pontia chloridice
DD
DD
No change
Agriades dardanus
0
P
Different localities with A. villosa
Polyommatus lurae
0
1
New species
Polyommatus orphicus
0
1
New for Albania
Pseudophilotes bavius
0
P
Occurring in neighbouring country
Satyrium pruni
0
1
New for Albania
Limenitis camilla
0
1
New for Albania
Neptis rivularis
DD
DD
No change
Neptis sappho
0
P
Occurring in neighbouring country
Araschnia levana
0
1
New for Albania
Euphydryas maturna
DD
1
New for Albania
Melitaea arduinna
0
P
Occurring in neighbouring country
Melitaea aurelia
P
P
No change
Nymphalis vaualbum
P
P
No change
Coenonympha glycerion
P
P
No change
Erebia albergana
0
1
New for Albania
Kirinia climene
DD
1
Confirmed for Albania
Proterebia phegea
0
1
New for Albania
Table 1. Summary of the changes in status. Comparison of the status concerning the
data deficient and potential species for Albania.
28 BSHN (UT) 32/2022
Acknowledgements
We are grateful to Martin Bjerg, Stoyan Beshkov, Kaj Dahl, Roland Demol, Vlad
Dincă, Milan Đurić, Dime Melovski, Ana Nahirnić-Beshkova, Marko Prendi, Michel
Taymans, Alon Toledo, Ofir Tomer, Roger Vila, Rudi Verovnik and Chris van Swaay
for communication and data.
Additionally, the free downloadable data on the fora GBIF, Observado and iNaturalist
helped to increase our total dataset. We thank Prof. Lulëzim Shuka for providing all
photographs of the foodplants and giving significant input on their distribution in
Albania. He also supported different field trips from the project of the University of
Tirana for the endangered species of Albania, financed by the Albanian Research and
Innovation Agency with contract No. 256 Prot., dated 16.09.2019. The paper was
significantly improved by kind suggestions of Vlad Dincă.
References
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Malit Sharr dhe Rrethinave të tij në rrafshin e entomofaunë Maqedonase. —
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